Oliver Shah Award-Winning Business Journalist and Advisory Founder
Who Is Oliver Shah?
Oliver Shah has established himself as one of Britain’s most respected business journalists, with a career spanning over two decades in investigative reporting and corporate affairs coverage. His work has shaped public discourse around business ethics, retail transformation, and corporate accountability, earning him recognition as a leading voice in financial journalism.
Oliver Shah – Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Oliver Shah |
| Profession | Business Journalist, Author, Advisory Consultant |
| Current Position | Founder of Newcome Advisory (2025-Present) |
| Former Position | Associate Editor & Leader Writer at The Sunday Times (2018-2025) |
| Notable Role | Business Editor at The Sunday Times (2016-2018) |
| Years Active | 2000s-Present (20+ years in journalism) |
| Education | English at Cambridge University Journalism at City University |
| Career Highlights | 15 years at The Sunday Times City Editor and retail correspondent (2010-2016) Staff journalist at City AM (2009-2010) Freelance writer for Mail on Sunday |
| Major Awards | Business Journalist of the Year – Press Awards (2017) Business Journalist of the Year – London Press Club Awards (2017) |
| Famous Investigation | BHS Scandal and Sir Philip Green’s £1 sale investigation |
| Published Books | “Damaged Goods: The Inside Story of Sir Philip Green, the Collapse of BHS and the Death of the High Street” (Penguin, June 2018) |
| Advisory Roles | Board Intelligence advisory board member Trustee at the Wincott Foundation Trustee at the Good Business Charter |
| Current Writing | Columnist at Green Street News |
| Areas of Expertise | UK business and corporate affairs Retail industry analysis Property markets High street economics Corporate governance Reputation management Business leadership |
| Social Media Following | 15,200+ followers on X/Twitter |
| Early Career | News wire in Canary Wharf FT trade magazines |
| Specializations | Investigative journalism Retail coverage Corporate deals Leadership commentary Political and foreign affairs analysis |
| Advisory Services | Reputation management for boards and investors Strategic communications consulting Crisis management advisory |
| Recognition | One of the most respected national commentators on business and retail |
| Speaking Engagements | Conference speaker on business, retail, and economic topics Public speaker on corporate governance and journalism |
Professional Journey and Career Highlights
Early Career Foundation
Shah’s path into journalism began after studying English at Cambridge University, followed by specialized journalism training at City University. His early professional experience included working at a news wire service in Canary Wharf and contributing to Financial Times trade magazines, where he developed the analytical skills that would later define his investigative approach.
Between 2009 and 2010, he worked as a staff journalist at City AM while also freelancing for the Mail on Sunday, building a diverse portfolio that strengthened his expertise across different editorial formats and business sectors.
The Sunday Times Era
Oliver Shah spent 15 transformative years at The Sunday Times, where he held multiple senior positions that showcased his editorial leadership and investigative prowess. Starting as a retail correspondent in 2010, he quickly progressed through increasingly influential roles.
From 2010 to 2016, he served as City Editor and retail correspondent, developing deep expertise in high street businesses, property markets, and corporate transactions. His coverage during this period established him as a go-to authority on retail industry dynamics and commercial real estate.
In 2016, Shah was promoted to Business Editor, a role he held until 2018. During this tenure, he oversaw the newspaper’s business coverage while continuing his own investigative work. From 2018 to 2025, he served as Associate Editor and Leader Writer, contributing strategic commentary on business leadership, economic policy, and corporate governance issues.
Current Ventures
In 2025, Oliver Shah founded Newcome Advisory, a consultancy firm that advises boards and investors on reputation management and strategic communications. This venture represents the natural evolution of his journalistic expertise into advisory services, helping organizations navigate complex reputational challenges with the same analytical rigor he applied to his reporting.
Beyond his advisory practice, Shah serves as a Trustee at the Wincott Foundation and the Good Business Charter, organizations dedicated to promoting excellence in financial journalism and ethical business practices. He also contributes as a columnist for Green Street News, maintaining his connection to active journalism while building his advisory business.
Additionally, he serves as a member of the Board Intelligence advisory board, where he provides insights on corporate governance and business strategy to senior executives and board members.
Award-Winning Investigations
The BHS Scandal Breakthrough
Oliver Shah’s most celebrated journalistic achievement came through his groundbreaking investigation into Sir Philip Green’s £1 sale of BHS and the subsequent collapse of the iconic British retailer. This investigation exposed critical failures in corporate governance and raised fundamental questions about business ethics and accountability.
His meticulous reporting on the BHS scandal earned him dual recognition in 2017. He received Business Journalist of the Year honors at both the Press Awards and the London Press Club Awards, cementing his reputation as one of the nation’s most formidable investigative reporters.
The investigation didn’t just win awards; it sparked parliamentary inquiries, public debates about corporate responsibility, and reforms in how retail businesses are regulated and monitored.
Investigative Focus Areas
Throughout his career, Shah has demonstrated particular strength in covering retail transformation, property market dynamics, corporate deals, and high street economics. His reporting has consistently connected individual business failures to broader systemic issues, helping readers understand the structural challenges facing British commerce.
He has also provided insightful commentary on leadership styles, political developments affecting business, and foreign affairs matters that intersect with economic interests.
Published Author
“Damaged Goods” – A Definitive Account
In June 2018, Penguin published Shah’s book “Damaged Goods: The Inside Story of Sir Philip Green, the Collapse of BHS and the Death of the High Street.” This comprehensive work expanded on his award-winning journalism, providing readers with an in-depth examination of how one of Britain’s most prominent retailers fell into administration.
The book goes beyond the BHS story to analyze broader challenges facing the high street, including changing consumer behavior, the rise of e-commerce, and the failure of traditional retail business models to adapt to new realities. It stands as both investigative journalism and business analysis, offering valuable lessons for entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers.
Areas of Professional Expertise
Oliver Shah has developed recognized expertise across multiple domains within business journalism and corporate affairs. His knowledge spans UK business operations, corporate governance frameworks, retail industry analysis, property markets, high street economics, reputation management, and business leadership dynamics.
This multifaceted expertise makes him a sought-after commentator and advisor, capable of providing nuanced insights that connect individual business decisions to wider economic trends and societal impacts.
Advisory and Speaking Engagements
Beyond writing and reporting, Shah has built a substantial presence as a public speaker and corporate advisor. He regularly addresses conferences and corporate events, sharing insights on business ethics, retail transformation, reputation management, and media relations.
Through Newcome Advisory, he works directly with boards and investors, helping them anticipate reputational risks, develop communication strategies, and navigate crises. His journalistic background gives him a unique perspective on how corporate actions are perceived publicly and covered in the media.
His trustee roles at the Wincott Foundation and the Good Business Charter allow him to influence the next generation of business journalists and promote ethical business standards across industries.
Media Influence and Public Profile
Oliver Shah maintains an active media presence with over 15,200 followers on X (formerly Twitter), where he shares insights on business developments, economic trends, and corporate affairs. His social media engagement extends his journalistic reach beyond traditional print media.
As a regular columnist and commentator, he appears in various media formats, including podcasts, television interviews, and panel discussions. He is frequently invited as a conference speaker, where his investigative credentials and analytical insights draw substantial audiences.
His published articles archive represents a valuable resource for researchers, students, and professionals studying British business history, retail transformation, and corporate governance evolution.
Journalistic Philosophy and Approach
Shah’s work reflects a commitment to accountability journalism that holds powerful business figures and institutions to high ethical standards. His investigative approach combines meticulous research, source cultivation, and analytical storytelling that makes complex business matters accessible to general audiences.
He has consistently demonstrated that business journalism serves a vital public interest function, not just by reporting financial results but by examining how corporate decisions affect employees, communities, and the broader economy. His perspectives on retail transformation and business accountability have influenced both public opinion and policy discussions.
Current Focus and Future Directions
In his current work through Newcome Advisory, Shah continues addressing the intersection of business operations, public perception, and media coverage. He advises boards and investors on managing reputational challenges, developing crisis communication strategies, and building sustainable business practices that withstand public scrutiny.
His ongoing commentary on business and governance issues maintains his influence in public discourse, while his trustee responsibilities allow him to shape institutions that support quality business journalism and ethical corporate behavior.
Through these varied roles, Oliver Shah remains a significant figure in British business journalism, bringing decades of investigative experience to help organizations navigate an increasingly complex reputational landscape.
Recognition as a Leading Business Commentator
The journalism community and business sector widely recognize Shah as one of the most respected national commentators on business and retail matters. His analysis combines on-the-ground reporting with a strategic understanding of market forces, making his insights valuable to diverse audiences from policymakers to investors to general readers.
His career trajectory from reporter to editor to advisory founder illustrates how journalistic expertise can evolve into broader influence, shaping not just public understanding but also corporate behavior and industry standards.
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